Music Haven/ Proctors Collaborative Bringing International Artists at UPH

SCHENECTADY — For 30 years, Music Haven has presented global sounds in Schenectady’s Central Park bringing international music to the summer seekers hailing from locales locales like Yemen, Ukraine, Louisiana, Ireland and Peru. The Passport Series takes the same world music that patrons of the park series have come to cherish and brings it to Proctors in Schenectady and Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga Springs.

“Music Haven is thrilled to expand its partnership with Proctors Collaborative to include UPH as well as the GE Theatre at Proctors,” said series curator Mona Golub, in a statement. “Our winter/spring Passport Series itinerary boasts exquisite artistry from four distinct locales – two familiar favorites in Ireland and Cuba and two dynamic new destinations in Turkey and Korea.”

The first in the 2023 Passport Series is the traditional Irish music of Dervish at Proctors, Schenectady 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 3. Aynur – who has become one of the most well-known musicians from Turkey and a representative of the Kurdish people – will perform at Proctors at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 4.

At Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga Springs: get transported to Cuba. “Salsa Night with Tiempo Libre” will be at UPH 8 p.m. Friday, March 24. Tiempo Libre are modern heirs to the rich musical tradition with its sophisticated performances of timba music, an irresistible, dance-inducing mix of Latin jazz and Cuban song.

Lastly, join ADG7 (Ak Dan Gwang Chil) at UPH 8 p.m. Friday, May 5. ADG7 features a rich repertoire inspired by Korea’s sacred, shamanic ritual music (gut) and beloved folk songs (minyo) of Hwanghae Province in the northern reaches of the Peninsula. ADG7 made their first big U.S. splash at globalFEST in 2019, an annual cultural celebration that features the most dynamic music globally.

The Passport Series pass includes a ticket to each of the four winter/spring 2023 shows in the series for $100. Single tickets to each show are also available at the Box Office at Proctors, in person or via phone at 518-3466204 Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. or online at proctorscollaborative. org/passport-series.

Country Music Superstar Randy Travis to Return to Wood Theater in August

GLENS FALLS — Country music legend Randy Travis returns to the stage at the Charles R. Wood Theater in Glens Falls, on Saturday, Aug. 26. Travis’ return follows two prior sold-out shows during the inaugural Kevin Richards’ Country Concerts

Close Up! series.

“Randy & Mary Travis: A Conversation with a Legend” will feature stories and songs hosted by Richards, an audience Q & A session, Travis’ biggest hits performed by New England’s Nashville-bound duo

Martin and Kelly, and a pianobar style sing-along with CMA broadcast winner Richie Phillips and regional fan favorite Mark Pierre.

Randy Travis tickets start at $59 and are available now at woodtheater.org/events.

Mark Erelli: Album Release Concert at Caffe Lena March 5

SARATOGA SPRINGS — During a performance in the summer of 2020, Mark Erelli looked down at his guitar neck and couldn’t believe what he saw. Or rather, what he couldn’t see: his fingers on the frets.

A subsequent diagnosis of the degenerative eye disease retinitis pigmentosa (RP) provided some answers, but also yielded new questions. Does diminished eyesight decrease one’s insight? What does it mean to be ‘fully seen,’ by oneself and by others? These questions, along with Erelli’s drive to regain his creative agency, are at the heart of his new album “Lay Your Darkness

Down.” The album was released Friday, Feb. 3

Erelli turned to songwriting as an internal compass that might guide him in assessing this radically-altered vision of his future. The new songs, though decorated with references to shadows, light, and obscured vision, are more about resilience, love, and the human condition than they are about blindness: “Lay your darkness down/ shadows lie upon the ground, to show us where the light is coming from…”

Mark Erelli will perform at Caffe Lena on Sunday, March 5. Call 518-583-0022, or go to: caffelena.org.